Home Depot (HD) to exit EXPO business as it has weakened significantly as demand for big ticket design and d cor projects has declined due to the current economic environment; eliminate about 7,000 associates. To shift to a region-and district based support model; will reduce about 10% of its officer ranks. Announces a salary freeze. As part of these actions, expects to take total pre-tax charge of about $532 million, of with about $390 million will be recognized in fourth quarter, remaining $142 million in 2009 and beyond. Reaffirms fiscal year 2009 EPS guidance, exc. charges associated with today's announcements.

Barclays PLC (BCS) says it is not looking for further capital from the private sector or British government. It expects 2008 PTP to be well ahead of consensus estimate of GBP5.3 billion. Company may report its 2008 results earlier than planned, the WSJ quotes a person familiar with the matter as saying.

Rohm & Haas (ROH) falls 7.81 to 58.01. ROH says it has been advised by Dow Chemical (DOW) that it does not intend to close the pending acquisition of ROH on or before Tuesday, Jan. 27, 2009. ROH says it plans to pursue all available alternatives to protect its shareholders' interests. S&P maintains hold.

Sprint Nextel (S) says it will reduce internal, external labor costs by about $1.2 billion on annualized basis and cut 8,000 positions. Notes it repaid $2 billion in debt in the second half of 2008, renegotiated its credit facility terms with expectation of sufficient liquidity to pay debt coming due during next two years. Also, Sprint said as part of its cost reductions it has decided to suspend the 401(k) match for 2009, extend a 2008 suspension of annual salary increases through 2009.

ING Groep N.V. (ING) says it intends to cut expenses by €1 billion in 2009, partly by eliminating 7,000 positions. It expects to post a loss of €1 billion in 2008 after taking a €3.3 billion loss in fourth quarter on asset impairments and fair value adjustments. FD.nl reports ING says it wants to sell €2-3 billion in assets by 2010, and that ING's Michel Tilmant will step down from the Executive Board as of today.

Cal Dive International (DVR) enters into a definitive stock repurchase agreement with Helix Energy Solutions (HLX), its majority stockholder, to repurchase about 13.5 million DVR shares for a purchase price of $86 million or $6.34 per share. The repurchase represents 12.6% of DVR's common stock currently outstanding and will reduce HLX's ownership interest in DVR from approximately 57% to 51%.

Arctic Cat (ACAT) announces a workforce reduction in order to align the company's cost structure with current industry-wide market conditions. Approximately 100 positions are being eliminated, effective immediately, primarily in Thief River Falls, Minn., representing 7% of company's 1,400 employees.